Topic 1. The English language

TOPIC 1. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Task 1. Learn the words and word combinations given.

Trade – торговля technology – технология commerce – коммерция, торговляshipping – морской флот, судоходство major – главный, основной diplomacy – дипломатия scientific– научный widespread -широко распространенный official language – государственный язык the Republic of South Africa – Южно-Африканская республика the Irish Republic – Ирландская Республика (тж. Южная Ирландия) to exceed– превышать native speaker – носитель языка nursery school –детский сад instantly – немедленно, тотчас to come to one’s mind – прийти на ум

to acquire the ability – приобрести способность habit formation – формирование привычки to require – требовать pattern – образец; структура; модель frequently – часто efficiently – рационально; разумно fundamental – основной; коренной; главный intention – намерение, цель to afford – позволить себе, давать to waste –тратить, терять впустую it’s up to you – вам (тебе) решать matter – вопрос, дело effort – усилие, попытка to pronounce – произносить pronunciation – произношение to propose -предлагать to leave out – пропускать, не включать

 

Task 2. Read the texts to get more information about the language you learn.

English is a World language

It is the language of progressive science and technology, trade and cultural relations, commerce and business. It is the universal language of international aviation, slapping and sports. It is also the major language of diplomacy.

75% of the world’s mail and 60% of the world’s telephone calls are in English. Half of the world’s scientific literature is written in English.

English is spoken by more than 350 million people. Geographically, it is the most widespread language on earth, second only to Chinese in the number of people who speak it.

It is the official language of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the United States of America, of Australia and New Zealand. English is used as one of the official languages in Canada, the Republic of South Africa and the Irish Republic. It is also spoken as a second language in many parts of India and Africa. The number of second-language speakers may soon exceed the number of native speakers.

Learning a foreign language for some people is not an easy thing. But to know English today is absolutely necessary for every educated person, for every good specialist.

On Learning English

Learning English is like learning to swim or learning to play a ball. We learn to swim by swimming, to play a ball by playing, and to speak English by speaking.

A good ball-player spends hours, days, months, and even years practicing. The more he practices, the better he plays. He has to learn to meet the situations of the game as they arise and react to them immediately. And so it is when we are talking. The ideas we wish to express come instantly to our mind, but there is no time for us to stop and think of how to put together the words we need. Acquiring the ability to use a language automatically, that is without stopping to think, is a process of habit formation. Forming a habit, any kind of habit, requires much practice.

Every language has patterns that are basic and fundamental._. Every language has a body of common words used by all the speakers of that language and thousands of other words that are used less frequently. We can understand and read many words and structures that we cannot use in speaking and writing. Every language has many ways of saying the same things. If you wish to ask the time, you say: «What time is it?», «Do you have the time?», «What time have you got?», «Will you tell me the time, please», etc.

Learning English efficiently requires that you put your mindon what you are doing and have the intention and the will to learn. The time you have is so short that you cannot afford to waste it by giving less than your full cooperation in class and in home study. In other words, you have to build up language habits in English just as you build up language habits in your mother tongue. Knowing English, as well as knowing your own language, is a relative matter. You will never finish learning either. Your freedom in each of them is something to be learned through your own effort.

Good luck to you then, in your learning English. It’s up to you. Nobody can learn to swim for you. Nobody can learn English for you. You have to learn for yourself, and you will learn if you really want to and are willing to practice.

Language is not to be taught, language is to be learnt.

English Spelling

Why isn’t English spelling logical? The answer is that it isn’t really the spelling that is «wrong». Many centuries ago the English pronounced words as they spelt them, but with time the pronunciation has changed. So people thought that it was necessary to change the spelling to fit the new pronunciation.

In 1843 a new alphabet of forty symbols was proposed. To make spelling fit pronunciation you need a different symbol for each sound. You can use the traditional alphabet with just a few symbols. And then, leaving out silent letters like the «k» in «knife» you just write the word as they sound.

Another idea is to use an alphabet which is quite different – a phonetic alphabet. This is what George Bernard Shaw wanted. When he died, he left money to pay for this, and in 1962 one of his plays came out in a phonetic alphabet which had forty-eight symbols. But the English alphabet hasn’t changed. It will take a lot of money to change it. Think of all the books in schools and libraries.

In fact, there is one new in use, the I.T.A., or Initial Teaching Alphabet. The idea is that children learn to read more quickly without the problems of English spelling. Learning to read early is important because by reading we can learn about a lot of things. In many schools children learn to read with this new alphabet and learn the traditional alphabet later. But there are teachers who don’t like it. They say that the children will never learn to spell.

Some people think that English is becoming one of the most important languages in the world and so it needs logical spelling. They hope to publish a book explaining their ideas and proposing another new alphabet of forty-four symbols.

Task 3. Answer the questions and discuss.

1. Explain the meaning of the phrase “Language is not to be taught, language is to be learnt”.

2. Discuss the necessity of learning English nowadays.

3. What difficulties in learning language do you have? What do you do to overcome them?

4. If you were a teacher of English, what methods would you use to help your students learn English?

5. What other languages would you like to learn one day?

6. What difficulties with spelling does English have? Can you explain the reasons for that?

Task 4. Summarize the key ideas of the texts.

TOPIC 2. WHAT I AM AND PEOPLE AROUND ME

Task 2. Read the text to get information how a boy speak about himself.

About Myself

My name is Sergei. My surname is Petrov. My full name is Sergei Ivanovich Petrov. I’m Russian. I was born on March 23, 1990 in Salavat, Bashkortostan. Five years ago my family moved to Ufa where I live now together with my parents. My father is a doctor. He works at a hospital. My mother is an economist. She works at a large company. I’m the only son. It’s a pity I have neither a brother nor a sister. So we are three in the family. We have pets, a cat and a dog, our family is very united and we have many relatives.

This year I left school № 32 in Ufa. It’s an ordinary secondary school, not a specialized one. I always did well at school and studied with great interest. I also took an active part in school life, attended sport sections and subject circles. My favourite subjects at school were literature, history and English. Perhaps my love to these subjects, very important for my future profession, influenced my choice. My parents also encouraged me in my desire to become a PR specialist.

In summer I became an applicant for entry to Ufa State Petroleum Technological University. Having passed entrance examinations well I entered the University. Now I’m a first-year student of the Humanitarian department. I do my best to have good marks in my credit book for those who fail at the exams are seriously warned by the dean and may be even expelled from the University. We have lectures, practical classes in different subjects and we work on our own as well.

Many students come from different cities and villages and they live at hostels. I live with my parents in a small two-room flat on the second floor of a big many-storied block of flats in a new district of Ufa. We have all modern conveniences (gas, electricity, central heating, running water etc.) and there are many shops, a green park, a cinema in our district. I often invite my friends to my place to listen to music, to dance and have a cup of tea with my mother’s cakes.

I can also add that I have a girl-friend. I’m fond of travelling and my dream is to visit many countries.

 

 

My Family

Before I start talking about my family let me introduce myself. My name is Catherine and friends call me just Kate. I am 17. My family and I have lived all our life in Ufa.

And now I am going to tell you a few words about my family. We are a family of five. It may sound a bit strange but we think we are a large family. It consists of my grandmother, father, mother, brother and me. We are happy to be living together in a new flat in one of the districts of Ufa. We occupy four rooms in the flat on the second floor. We are getting on all right and we are a united family.

Certainly I am going to talk first of my dad. His name is Ivan Vasilyevich. He works at the local dairy factory as an automation engineer. He is neither young nor an old man – he is 45. He is a good-looking man, tall, handsome, rather thin with dark brown hair just beginning to go grey. He is a quiet person though not very sociable. What I don’t like about my dad is that he is always busy. Very often he works overtime. On weekends he always goes to the country. He enjoys working in the garden. In fact I don’t see much of him.

My mother’s name is Zoya Alexandrovna. She is five years younger than my father. She is the school director. My mum is decidedly pretty and looks young for her age. She is always smart and elegant. She always has a lot of work to do both at school and about the house. You can imagine it, she is fond of her work and spends a lot of time there and of course she has to cook the food for all of us at home. Shopping and cooking is nearly half a day’s work for her. She keeps our house perfectly. And it’s useless to talk her out of it.

Oleg is my younger brother. He is a twelve-year old boy and naturally he goes to school. He likes school but he is very fond of sports. He wanted to be a professional footballer. He plays football always and everywhere. But he is so messy at home. He never keeps things in their right places.

And finally my granny. My grandmother, Vera Alexandrovna, is a real darling. She is my best friend, must tell you. She is always ready to listen to my endless stories about my school and about my friends. She is a very understanding person. She is 69. She worked hard on the farm in her youth and in her older age. I am so sorry her health is in a bad state.

That is my story about my family. If you have any questions to me you are most welcome.

 

My Friend

Friendship is a very great thing. An English proverb says: “A good friend is as the sun in winter”. I think it is a good proverb. A real friend makes your life happier and more interesting. He is clear to you and you want your friendship to last for a very long time. You must always think how to keep it, as it is difficult to find a new friend. Friends have the same interests; they understand, help, respect and trust each other.

My friend’s name is Olga. She is tall (short), middle-sized, slender (well-made, plump). She has blonde (black, fair) hair, a round (thin) face, green (brown, grey, blue) eyes, delicate (large, regular, small) features, full (thin, thick) lips, snub (straight) nose and pink (pale) cheeks. We went to the same school but she was not in our class. We are the same age. (She is one year younger than me). We’ve been friends for many years. We live close to each other (far from each other). We met (during summer holidays, quite by chance).

We like to be together. We often listen to music (go to the cinema, walk about the city, play games, read books) together. We have the same hobby and devote all our free time to it. We speak of all sorts of things, more often of all kind of trifles, than of serious things. We tell each other our secrets and troubles. Together we decide what to do. It is interesting to discuss our life, films that we have seen, interesting books, TV programmes, political news, and the results of sport events. I never quarrel with my friend (If we quarrel we try to make peace as soon as possible). We share the same ideas about sports (music, books, films, friendship). But of course there are some issues on which we have different opinions.

What I like in my friend is that she is always willing to help, to share her knowledge (success, feelings). I like that she is very sensitive, she knows a lot, I can rely on her in any situation. I trust her a lot and she never lets me down. I respect her for her fairness, strong will. She is very kind-hearted, honest; serious, well-bred, modest, intelligent. It is easy to get along with her. She is always full of ideas. She is good at sports, drawing and music. And there is only one thing I don’t like in her: she is sometimes hot-tempered. I miss my friend. Without her I feel lonely. Friendship helps me to feel strong and self-confident.

TOPIC 3. MY WORKING DAY

TOPIC 4. SOCIAL CONTACTS

Introductions

Although the rules for introduction have become less rigid in recent years, certain forms must be followed: a younger person is presented to an older person, a gentleman is always presented to a lady. No woman is ever presented to a man, with the exception of the recognized head of another country or a member of a royal family. Introducing a person to a group the introducer ideally should know the names of all the people. He leads the newcomer and says to the group: «This is James Smith, whom I want to introduce to you». Then indicates each of the group in turn: «Mr. Smith, Miss F, Mr. B, Miss C». Strictly, perhaps, he should introduce him to the ladies first, but this may be complicated, so he goes by the order in which the people happen to be standing. If the introducer momentarily forgets or does not know the name of one of the group, it is up to that person to come to his rescue by saying: «I’m Bill Jones. How do you do?» or something of the sort.

When a visitor is ready to leave, he or she merely stands up. To one with whom he has been talking, he says: «Good-bye, I hope I shall see you again soon», or, simply, «I’m glad to have met you». In taking leave of a group of strangers you nod and smile a «Goodbye» to anyone who happens to be looking at you. When leaving a party early, you find your host or hostess and say «Good-bye» without attracting any more attention than is necessary.

If it interests you to know how good your telephone manners may be the number of times you can answer «Yes» to the following questions will give you your rating:

− Do you make sure of the correct number so as not to risk disturbing strangers by «calling from memory»?

− Do you make conversations with busy people as brief as possible?

− Do you treat wrong-number calls as a mutual inconvenience and answer «Sorry, wrong number» politely instead of getting angry?

− In a general office, do you explain to personal friends inclined to talk at length that you will call them after hours?

Contacts

When Americans meet their friends, they often begin their conversations with a greeting and ask about the friend’s health, family, and job. The conversation is optimistic most of the time. Ever conversations about sad events such as serious illnesses, family problems, or deaths usually end in a hopeful way. People discuss special family events such as marriage, births, deaths, graduations. If the news is unhappy, he or she will express sympathy and add a hopeful comment.

There are special rules about the discussion of money. Friends like to share good news – like a job promotion – or tell about major purchases like a new house, car or furniture. But they seldom discuss the amount of money they got or spent. A friend might tell you how much an item cost, especially if it was a bargain, but it is notpolite to ask: “How much was it?” Friends often discuss financial topics such as the economy, inflation, and the high cost of living.

Task 5. Retell the text. Speak about the rules for introduction and addressing people, good telephone manners, special rules about the discussion of money, beginning a conversation and leaving a party in Great Britain and in the USA.

Task 7. If you have found a vacancy which suits you and have decided to apply for a job you must first call to secretary of the company to make an appointment with the manager. As a rule, all applicants are invited to an interview. Read the following dialogues dealing with telephone etiquette.

Telephone Etiquette

English Character

One of the most striking features of English life is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behavior, and practically not loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.

Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying «Thank you», «I’m sorry», «Beg your pardon». If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the English people.

English people don’t like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.

The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner’s language.

The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in block of flats, because he doesn’t wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbors, «An Englishman’s house is his castle».

Many Englishmen help their wives at home in many ways. They clean the windows on Saturday afternoon, they often wash up thedishes after supper in the evening.Sunday is a very quiet day in London. All the shops are closed and so are the most theaters and cinemas. Londoners like to get out of town on Sundays. The sea is not far – only fifty or sixty miles away and people like to go down to the sea in summer or somewhere to the country for skiing in winter.

American Character

American society seems to be much more informal than that British and, in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room. One does not always address a person by his title, such as «Major» or «General» or «Doctor» in the case of a holder of a Doctor оr Philosophy degree. The respectful «Sir» is not always used in the northern and western parts of the country.

However, it is best to use a person’s title when first meeting him her, and then allow the person to tell you how he/she wishes to be called.

They use first names when calling each other, slap on the back, joke and are much freer in their speech, which is more slangy thanthe conversational British English. You will often hear the word «Hi» (a form of greeting among friends) used instead of the usual «Hello», and «Howdy» instead of «How do you do?».

Those who don’t easily show these signs of friendship are called «snooty» or «snobbish». In contrast, people who show such simple signs of friendship, particularly to their own economic and social inferiors, are praised as «regular guys», or as «truly democratic». As a description of character, «democratic» is generally used to signify that a personof high social or economic status acts in such a way that his or her inferiors are not reminded of their inferiority.

Yet in spite of all the informality, Americans, even in the way they addresseach other, show consciousness of social distinction, for example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors. While the informal «Hello» is an acceptable greeting from employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say «Hello, Mr. Ferguson», while the employer may reply «Hello, Jim».

Certain other forms of politeness are observed on social occasions. Women may wear hats in church, in restaurants, and often when attending luncheons in public places and other public social functions except those that take place in the evening. Men who do wear hats ordinary remove them in elevators, churches, restaurants, private homes; business offices – in fact, in most public situations when they wish to show respect.

TOPIC 6. MEALS

English Meals

The English usually have 4 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, 5 o’clock tea and dinner. In many European countries it is normal to have a long break in the middle of the day when all members of the family return to their houses to eat together. This is not very common in Britain because normally it is a long way from the place of work or school to the home, consequently, the British people tend to have a big breakfast. Generally speaking the British breakfast is much bigger than in most other countries.

Many people like to have a fried breakfast which can consist of fried bacon and eggs with fried bread and possibly fried tomatoes or black pudding. Of course not everybody wants to eat a lot early in the morning and many people prefer to just eat toast and marmalade with tea or coffee. This is usual called a “continental breakfast”. Cereals are also very popular. The most common is cornflakes. They are made with different grains such as corn, wheat, oats etc.

Lunch is normally eaten between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm. Most offices and small shops are closed for an hour and the city streets are full of people on their way to cafes, coffee bars, restaurants. Factory workers usually eat in the canteens.

The English like what they call “good plain food”. They must be able to recognize what they are eating. Usually they like steak, roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and fish and chips.

On Sundays people don’t have to work so they take the opportunity eat together with their family. Sunday lunch is usually the best meal of the week and many of the meals which are considered typically British are eaten for Sunday lunch. For example roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Afternoon tea is taken at about 5 o’clock, but it can hardly be called a meal. It is a cup of tea and cake or biscuits. At the weekend afternoon tea is a special occasion. Friends and visitors are often invited to have a chat over a cup of tea.

Most people finish work at five thirty. It often takes at least an hour to get home from the school or workplace so people tend to eat their evening meal or “dinner” between 6.30 pm and 8 pm.

Dinner is the most substantial meal of the day. The first course may be soup (Though the English don’t like it very much). Things are changing and most British people eat meals from many different countries for example spagetti or curry. However the most typical thing to eat for dinner is “meat and two veg”. This consists of a piece of meat accompanied by two different boiled vegetables. It will often be fish or meat, perhaps the traditional roast beef of old England, and a lot of vegetables. This is covered with “gravy” which is a sauce made with the juice that was obtained when the meat was cooked. One of the vegetables is almost always potatoes. The British eat a lot of potatoes. The next course will be something sweet and oftencooked, such as a fruit pie. Last ofall there may be cheese, often with biscuits.

On Christmas Day a roast turkey is traditionally cooked for dinner. It is usually followed by Christmas pudding.

American Meals

Americans usually have three meals a day. Breakfast usually comes before eight o’clock in the morning, since most people have to be getting off to work and children have to leave for school.

Breakfast in America may be orange juice, toast and coffee, or juice and cold dry cereal with milk. Lunch in America is usually a small meal – a sandwich, salad or soup.

People who work must either bring it or get it near their work place. School children take sandwiches, fruit and cookies along with them or eat in the schools cafeteria.

Lunch is served between twelve and one o’clock, and dinner, the main meal, is generally between six and eight in the evening.

Brunch is a combination of breakfast and lunch that many Americans enjoy on Sunday. Scrambled eggs or omelets are often served along with other, regular luncheon dishes. It is usually served about eleven in the morning.

Many fine restaurants have a traditional Sunday brunch where it is served from around 10 a.m. until mid-afternoon.

Dinner is ordinary planned around a meat course, pork, or various fowl such as chicken or turkey. Ground beef is called hamburger and ground pork is sausage. In addition to meat, an American dinner often includes potatoes or rice, and green or yellow vegetables. Fresh salad is also frequently served. Coffee, tea and milk are generally served with a dessert after dinner, but not always. Sometimes a typical dinner may include an appetizer, such as soup or fruit salad. The word «supper» can be used in place of dinner.

Restaurants in the UK

British food, traditionally rather stodgy fare, underwent something of a renaissance in the 1990s and modern restaurants or gastro-pubs will serve Mediterranean and even Pacific Rim influenced cuisine.

The range of restaurants serving food from every land is such that there is something to cater for most tastes. The UK’s most popular dish is chicken “tikka masala”, courtesy of its many excellent Indian restaurants. Chinese and Italian dishes are also popular: the King of Thailand has had meals flown in from a small Thai restaurant in Stratford upon Avon. Traditional dishes are still served: bacon, eggs and sausages; fish and chips with vinegar; roast beef and Yorkshire pudding; roast lamb with mint sauce; or ploughman’s lunch – a slab of cheese, chutney, bread and salad. These may be followed by solid desserts like spotted dick (a heavy pudding with raisins), rhubarb crumble or trifle, all served with custard.

In Scotland, famous for its game and salmon, the national dish is haggis and neeps (innards and offal chopped up with spices and cooked in a sheep’s stomach, served with mashed turnip – more appetising than it sounds).

Two traditional Welsh items are laver bread, baked with oatmeal, seaweed and bacon, and Welsh Rarebit – melted cheese on toast.

Drinking is something the British are known for although local ales and bitters, served at room temperature, are rarely to foreign tastes. Strange licensing laws mean many pubs close at 11 pm, so if you hear a bell just before then, it is for “last orders”. Scotch whisky is held in high esteem worldwide; if you prefer Irish whiskey (with an “e”), visit the Bushmills distillery in Northern Ireland to sample some of their wonderful wares.

 

Restaurants in the USA

Restaurants in the US are plentiful and of wide variety. They range from inexpensive “fast food” places to very expensive restaurants. Some restaurants feature specialties of the region or foreign countries.

Restaurants in the US are inspected regularly for cleanliness and for compliance with health code. It is safe to eat in any restaurant. However, for the best meals or the best bargains, it is good idea to follow the recommendations of acquaintances and friends. It is safe to drink water in all parts of the US. Usually water is served with ice. If you prefer water without ice, or hot water, ask the waiter or waitress for it.

If you plan to eat dinner at a formal restaurant, you should call a day or two in advance to make a reservation. Not all restaurants require reservation, but it is a good idea to check, just in case they are necessary. This is especially true on weekends and holidays.

In general the wording of an invitation to dine with someone a restaurant offers a clue as to who will pay the bill. If you are not sure how the bill will be paid, assume that you will pay your share. If you are meant to be guest, your host or hostess will say so. Usually, when a man invites a woman out to dinner, he pays the bill. However, modern US dating arrangements sometimes are “Dutch”, which means that each person pays for the food and drink he or she has ordered and contributes towards the tip for the waiter or waitress.

In a cafeteria or fast food restaurant, the bill is paid when food is ordered. In a cafeteria, the cashier determines the bill and collects the money at the end of the food line, after you have chosen what you want to eat.

In the US restaurants gratitudes (tips) are not usually added to restaurant bills as is customary in many other countries. Some rеstaurants, however, do add a service charge for groups of six or more people. You should leave your tip on the table for the waits or waitress who has served you, when you leave the restaurant. If you pay with a credit card, you can add the tip to the credit card charges before you total the bill. The restaurant then gives the amount to your server in cash. If you sit at a counter in a restaurant, the tip is usually much smaller. You can leave a quarter or two by your plate when you leave. Customers do not tip in self-service restaurant or fast food outlets.

TOPIC 7. SHOPPING

What is shopping?

What is shopping? It’s a simple thing, just an act or occasion of visiting the shops to buy things. But for many people it has become a hobby or a social ritual. Meet up with your friends, check out the shops, try on the clothes, have a burger for lunch. In short, hang around in positive-feeling, exciting environments in which you feel at home. People often think how and where to spend their money. This means that shop owners need to use a number of techniques to attract shoppers inside their shops. Outside the shop, the window display is like a huge advert. The psychologists apply a “25 metre rule” to shop windows. If shoppers are further away than 25 metres, they won’t notice the window display or be drawn to the shop. Any closer and shoppers may already be looking at another shop window. If shops play music and have lights like a club, shoppers will be tempted into the shop.

So, psychologists and designers have worked together with the shopping industry to create a comfortable, attractive shopping environment.

When we are going shopping there are many kinds of shops at our disposal. But most of them have a food supermarket and department store, men’s and women’s clothing stores, a grocery.

The best place to do shopping is a supermarket. They sell various goods under one roof and this is very convenient. Besides, the supermarket has many self-service counters where you can choose what you like and take it off the counter with your own hands. Usually you take a basket at the entrance and go inside. In a food supermarket we can buy many things at once: cereals, flour, sugar, macaroni, salt, spices at the grocer’s; fish, caviar, herring and all other sea products at the fishmonger’s; at the butcher’s you are offered a wide choice of meat and poultry; at the bakery we buy brown and white bread, rolls, biscuits; we choose something sweet at the confectionaries; milk, sour cream, yoghurt at the dairy; sausage and cheese at the delicatessen. Supermarkets now offer you much frozen and ready-made food for microwave and tasty salads and fruits at the fruiterer’s.

A supermarket also usually has a special department selling all kinds of household, like soaps, sponges, detergents, toothpaste, toothbrushes, crockery and so on.

A department store is composed of many departments: ready-made clothes, fabrics, shoes, sports goods, toys, electric appliances, cosmetics, linen, curtains, cameras, records, jewellery, hosiery.

In women’s clothing department we can find dresses, costumes, blouses, skirts, coats, beautiful underwear and many other things. In the men’s clothing department we can choose suits, trousers, overcoats, ties, etc. We buy sweaters, cardigans, woolen jackets in the knitwear, in the perfumery you can be offered face cream and powder, lipstick, lotions and shampoos.

In a self-service shop where the customer goes from counter to counter selecting and putting into a basket what he wishes to buy. Then he takes the basket to the check-out counter, where the prices of the purchases are added up. If it is not a self-service shop, then the shop assistant helps the customer in finding what he wants. You pay money to the cashier and get your change.

If someone tries to take things from a shop without paying they are almost certain to be caught. Most shops have store detectives who have the job to catch shoplifters and candid camera for observation, most shops have convenient opening and closing hours especially big supermarkets: from 7 a.m. till 11 p. m. Many of the shops work on Saturdays and Sundays.

As for Great Britain most shops open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Small shops often close for an hour at lunchtime. On one or two days a week – usually Thursday/Friday some large food shops stay open until 8.00 p.m. for late night shopping. Nearly all shops are closed on Sundays. Newspaper shops are open in the morning and sell sweets and cigarettes as well. But there are legal restrictions on selling many things on Sunday.

Britain’s favourite store is Mark and Spencer (M&S). It attracts great variety of customers, from housewives to millionaires from Great Britain and abroad. Dustin Hoffman and the British Prime Minister are just two of its famous customers.

It all started 105 years ago, when a young Polish immigrant, Michael Marks, had a stall in Leeds market. He didn’t have much to sell: cotton, a little wool, lots of buttons, and a few shoelaces. Above his stall he put the now famous notice: “Don’t ask how much – it’s a penny”. Ten years later he met Tom Spencer and together they started Penny Stalls in many towns in the north of England. Today there are 564 branches of M&S all over the world – in the USA, Canada, Spain, France, Belgium and Hungary.

The best-selling clothes are: jumpers, bras and knickers for women, shirts, socks, pyjamas, dressing gowns and socks for children.

Best-sellers in food include: fresh chickens, bread, vegetables and sandwiches.

Chicken Kiev is internationally the most popular convenience food. His store bases its business on 3 principles: good value, good quality and good service. It changes with the time; it was jumpers and knickers, now – food, furniture and even flowers. But perhaps the most important key to its success is its happy, well-trained staff. Conditions of work are excellent. There are company doctors, dentists, hairdressers, to look after the staff, and all the staff can have lunch for 40p. Well, being abroad, don’t forget about M&S!

Shopping takes much time, energy and money in everybody’s life. For many people it’s a boring household duty, but for many it’s an enjoyable hobby. Which group do you belong to?

Shopping in the USA

Most US cities have many shopping areas. Usually there is a «downtown» where business is centered, but often there are large «shopping malls» in outlying districts. In these shopping centers, you can find most of the goods and services you normally need.

Supermarkets. The supermarket is a large store which sells all kinds of food and also small selections of other things, like drugstore items, hardware, kitchen utensils, food for pets and sometimes even clothing. A supermarket usually is part of a chain, one outlet of a large retailing business with great warehouses and many retail stores. Prices in supermarkets are usually lower than in small independent stores. There is a great deal of competition among supermarket chains, with many “specials” and sales which arc often advertised in local newspapers. Some supermarkets carry foreign foods, especially if they are located in the area with a large immigrant population. Walk through a supermarket to become familiar with the wide variety of food and merchandise offered.

Department stores. Department stores have many different “departments”, where you can buy clothing, shoes, appliances, kitchen items, china, gifts, jewelry, etc. Department stores differ in price and quality. They often have sales, during which selected items are sold at reduced prices. Most sales are advertised in local Mass Media.

Discount stores. Discount stores are similar to department stores but generally offer lower prices, because they buy in tremendous quantity (sometimes older or discontinued models) and because the stores are large, economically built and plain. You can find “bargain” (good buys) at discount stores, if you shop with care.

Shopping Centers. Most people in the US shop in “shopping centers” - large clusters of business catering to most normal shopping needs. Usually, there is a supermarket and a drugstore, plus a wide variety of shops and services. Shopping centers usually stay open in the evenings and are often open at least part of the day on Sunday. Visit one or more local shopping centers and make note of business hours and the variety of merchandise and services available.

Making Purchases

When on a business trip abroad I often go shopping. I need to make some purchases before leaving the country because I want to buy presents for my wife and children.

I prefer supermarkets for shopping. They have become very popular with the shoppers because you can buy everything you need under one roof and they are self-service shops and have parking possibility. I can also make a purchase at clothes shops, shoe shops, book shops, etc. But I call at a department store as it has many departments and I can buy everything I need in one building. I don’t like expensive department stores, I prefer to go to cheaper ones. Shops and department stores are open every day till 7 o’clock. Almost all the shops are closed on Sundays.

At the Central Department Store a lot of people move along the counters of the shop and look at the shop-windows choosing what they need. I’d like to buy a suit for me, a pair of gloves for my wife and some toys for my children. There’s a very good choice, of ready-made clothes at the men’s and women’s departments of the store.

I ask the shop-assistant (the sales-girl) to help me choose a summer suit of the right size for everyday (office, better) wear. I try on a few suits in the fitting room. The suit I choose fits me perfectly, it’s in grey and matches my eyes, it’s not expensive. At least, it costs no more than I can spend. I’m sure that it’s my style and it’ll wear for ages. I pay for the suit in cash. The cashier gives me a change. I also buy a pair of nice gloves at the women’s department for my wife. If the gloves are tight, I’ll get a refund. And the toys I buy for my children will be make them happy.

 

Buying on Credit

Credit operates everywhere nowadays. In any business most goods and services are bought on credit. Buying on credit has lots of advantages for the purchaser. He receives the goods or services, but keeps his cash for a certain period, during which he can use it in any sorts of ways. He can buy other things or lend it out – for instance, to a bank – and actually earn more money with it.

People buy now and pay later if they carry around credit cards that will be accepted at stores, hotels and restaurants. With a credit card you have to sign your name to make a purchase or get a meal. Of course, the bill for the purchase comes at the end of the month, and that is the time when it’s finally necessary to pay for all those purchases. Thereafter, interest is charged.

TOPIC 8. TRAVELLING

Travelling

Probably nobody can imagine modern life without travelling. Now the words “tourism”, “travelling” and “holidays” have the same associations. Holidays are a wonderful chance to relax, have fun and explore new places.

There are different forms of travelling. Probably, the most comfortable is package holidays. These are holidays that are organized by a travel company where the basic price includes flight accommodation and food. Going on such holidays you can settle everything beforehand and fully relax during the holidays.

Not all people prefer during the holidays relaxation, some prefer activity holidays. These are holidays which involve an activity. They are fun, practical and a great way to make new friends who share your interests.

If you haven’t got enough money, you can go on working holidays. You can work on a farm picking fruit in France or Israel, or if you want to go to the USA you can work in a Summer camp for kids. There are hundreds of them all over the US every summer and many of them employ foreign students to help organize games and events. It is hard work, but you are paid and get free time at the end to travel around America.

More and more people want to experience real life when they are abroad, that is why they prefer Home stay holidays. Instead of staying in hotels, you live with a family in their own house. It is cheaper than package holidays and much more interesting.

For me there is nothing like travel by air. It is more comfortable, convenient and quicker than any other method. Some years ago you could say that with a train you had speed, comfort and pleasure combined, from a comfortable seat of carriage you could have a splendid view of the countryside. But now travelling by train brings you a headache instead of pleasure.

The best way to spend vacations is travelling. People can travel on foot, by car, by train, by air and by sea. I believe that vacations should be a change. Most people like a change of place. If they live in the country they like to go to a big town, if they live in a city they like a quiet vacation. When on vacation, most people don’t like to do things; they have to do them all the yeаr round.

Travelling on Business

Nowadays businessmen go on business trips by train, by plane, by boat and by car. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. Most businessmen are interested in speed, comfort and safety.

When I go on business I decide what kind of transport to choose and I make all travel arrangements. It’s rather difficult to get tickets on the day of departure and I book a ticket at least a week in advance. As I prefer travelling by train I get to Ufa railway terminal. There are crowds of people there: at the time table, at the inquiry-office, at the booking-office, waiting for trains at the platforms, having a snack at a cafeteria, seeing off their friends and relatives. They are in a hurry not to miss their trains (to catch the trains). I get all the necessary information at the inquiry office before buying or booking tickets. Usually I prefer a return ticket to a single one, a lower berth to an upper one. I like to travel by an express train as it’s more comfortable than a passenger train. There’s a buffet-car and a carriage hostess brings me tea and bedclothes. The fares are reasonable and the trains are always in time. They leave and arrive without delay. When I get on the train I go to my compartment. Here I put my luggage on the track and make myself comfortable. I’m very glad to have one or two other passengers in the compartment of my carriage for it’s very pleasant to travel in a good company. I always have a nice trip by train.

Very often I go on business to London by air as it is the fastest way of travelling. I ask my secretary to check flights to London as I want to take the earliest flight I can. She finds out the time of flights to London and reserves me a seat. Usually it’s a direct non-stop flight, business class, non-smoking. The secretary arranges everything for me (makes all necessary reservations for the flight) and I go home to pack a bag. I can’t waste my time because passengers must arrive at the airport two hours before departure time on international flights and an hour on domestic flights. There must be enough time for them to complete all necessary airport formalities. Passengers must check in for flights: register tickets, weigh and register their luggage. My secretary also arranges for a car to take me to the Airport Terminal and phones meto inform about the latest check-in time. At the check-in desk I put my luggage on the scales and pay an extra charge if it’s necessary. Together with other passengers I wait at the departure lounge and on hearing the announcement about the flight I collect my hand luggage and go to gate 1. I show my boarding pass to the stewardess and get on the plane.

Planes to London leave and land there without delay an when I get off the plane in London Mr. Smith meets me at Heathrow Airport.

Task 4. You are the secretary of a very successful businessman who has to travel a lot on his business affaires. This week he is to visit Kazan, Moscow and fly abroad to Europe and then to America to make very important deals. Make up a business plan for him.

Staying at a Hotel

As I’m the manager of our company I often go on business trips to visit our trade partner’s manufacturing plants in London. When the plane lands at Heathrow airport I go through passport control and check my luggage at the Customs house. A representative of our Trade Delegation meets me at the airport and takes me to the Embassy Hotel. It’s a comfortable Hotel in the centre of London near the Hyde Park. Prices for the rooms are reasonable and the hotel is usually full, so the rooms are reserved in advance.

It takes us about half an hour to get to the hotel. At the reception desk we address the receptionist and say that we have reserved accommodation for Mr. Petrov at the hotel. The receptionist checks the reservation and informs us that one single room with private bath is reserved for Mr. Petrov from this day. The room is on the third floor, number 301. We thank the receptionist and I fill in the following form:

Surname ____________ First name ____________

Nationality ____________ Date of birth ____________

Occupation ____________ Place of birth ____________

Date of arrival in London____________ Address ____________

Length of stay ____________

The receptionist thanks us and gives me the key to my roomHe calls the porter and asks him to take me up to my room in the lift. Thereceptionist asks me not to miss breakfast served from7.30 to 8.30. He also warns me that the hotel charges include breakfast and maid-service and I don’t have to give any tips the maids. The receptionist wishes me to enjoy my stay at the hotel.

TOPIC 10. YOUTH PROBLEMS

TOPIC 11. YOUTH CULTURE

The Russian Federation

The vast territory of Russia occupies about 1/7 of the earth’s surface. It lies in the Eastern part of Europe and the Northern part of Asia. The total area of the country is about 17 mln square km.

Russia is washed by 12 seas and 3 oceans. The oceans are: the Pacific, the Arctic and the Atlantic. The seas are: the White Sea, the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea, the Laptev Sea, the East-Siberian Sea, the Bering Sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Japan, the Azov Sea.

In the South Russia borders on China, Mongolia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan. In the west it borders on Norway, Finland, the Baltic States, Byelorussia, the Ukraine. It also has a sea-border with the USA.

The history of Russia dates back to the year 862. The story of our country has always been the history of struggle for its liberation and independence from different invaders in different times: the Tatar Yoke, the Napoleon occupation, World War I and World War II, it has suffered grief and sorrow.

The population of Russia is 149 mln people, 80% of which are ethnic Russians. Russia is a multinational state; over 100 nationalities live in it, each with its own language, culture and traditions.

Russia became an independent state in 1991, now it is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, former Soviet republics.

The country is a land of different kinds of scenery: heavy thick forests, barren deserts, high peaked mountains, and deep valleys. We have steppes in the south, plain in the midland, tundra and taiga in the north, highlands in the east.

Russia is located on two vast plains: the Great Russian Plain and the West Siberian Lowland. There are several mountain chains on our territory: the Urals, separating Europe from Asia, the Caucasus, and the Altai.

Russia is a land of 2 mln long and short rivers and deep lakes. The broad Volga river system is of great historic, economic and cultural importance to Russia. It became the cradle of such ancient towns as Vladimir, Tiver, Yaroslavl, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod. Europe’s biggest river flows into the Caspian Sea. The Ob, the Yenisei, the Lena, the Irtish are the main Siberian rivers, the Amur in the Far East flows into the Pacific Ocean.

Numerous canals join all the rivers in the European part of Russia, making it the Europe’s largest inland water transportation route.

The world’s deepest lake – Lake Baikal, with the depth of 1600 metres, is situated in Russia, too. The water in the lake is so clear that if you look down you can count stones on the bottom.

Russia has 1/6 of the world’s forests. They are concentrated in the European north of the country, in Siberia and in the Far East.

On the vast territory of the country there are various types of climate. It is continental in central European part, with frosts and snow in winter and hot summers. It’s subtropical in the South; there is hardly any snow in winter and summer may be very hot. The coldest areas are in the extreme North and in the northern part of Siberia.

Russia is a highly industrialized-agrarian republic. Its vast mineral resources include oil and natural gas, coal, iron, zinc, lead, nickel, aluminum, gold and other non-ferrous metals. Russia has the world’s largest oil and natural gas resources. Three-quarters of the republic’s mineral wealth is concentrated in Siberia and the Far East.

Approximately 10 mln people are engaged in agriculture and they produce half of the region’s grain, meat, milk, and other dairy products. The largest granaries are situated in the North Caucasus and the Volga and the Amur regions.

The capital of the Russian Federation is Moscow; it’s the largest political, administrative, cultural and scientific centre. It’s one of the oldest Russian cities (founded in 1147 by Yuri Dolgoruki).

Russia is a presidential republic under the Constitution. The government consists of 3 branches: legislative, which is exercised by the Federal Assembly. It consists of 2 chambers: the Council of Federation and the State Duma. Each chamber is headed by the Speaker. A bill may be introduced in any chamber, it becomes a law if it is approved by both chambers and signed by the President. The President may veto the bill.

The executive power belongs to the government of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The judicial power is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the regional courts.

The President controls all the branches. He is also the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, he makes treaties, enforces laws, appoints ministers.

Today the state symbol of Russia is a three-coloured banner. It has 3 horizontal stripes: white, blue and red. The white stripe symbolizes the earth, the blue one stands for the sky, and the red one symbolizes liberty. A two-headed eagle is a new national emblem which originates from the heraldic emblem of Ruricovitches. All these symbols are official. They have been approved by the Federal Assembly.

At present, the political and economic situation of the country is very complicated, we are facing lots of problems: constantly rising prices, unemployment... But in spite of all this there are a lot of opportunities for our country to become one of the leading countries in the world.

We live in a unique country, we are proud of our talented people, famous scientists, musicians, artists, ballet school, its folk songs and dances. That’s why thousands of tourists from different parts of the world visit Russia every year and enjoy our architectural and historical masterpieces.

 

Task 3. Retell the topic.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, and commercial and cultural centre founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year 1147 as the start of Moscow. At that time it was a small fortress. Gradually the city became more and more powerful.

In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. The Kremlin and all the buildings within were reduced to ashes.

In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon’s attack. Three-quarters of the city were destroyed by the fire during Napoleon’s occupation; but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. After the October revolution Moscow became the capital again.

Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about nine hundred square kilometres (ancient Moscow occupied the territory of the present-day Kremlin). The population of the city is over 8 million.

Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It attracts tourists from all over the world.

The Kremlin is a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture. It is the oldest part of Moscow. The main Kremlin tower, the Spasskaya Tower, has become the symbol of Russia and Moscow. It has a famous clock; one can hear its chimes on the radio. On the territory of the Kremlin you can see old cathedrals, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Palace of Congresses, the Tzar-Cannon and the Tzar-Bell, the biggest cannon and bell in the world.

Outside the Kremlin Wall there is the famous Red Square. It is the heart of Moscow. It has more historic associations than any other place in Moscow. Tourists can look at the magnificent St Basil’s Cathedral (Vasily Blazheny), the Lenin Mausoleum and the monument to K.Minin and D. Pozharsky. St Basil’s Cathedral was built in the mid-16th century in memory of the victory over Kazan. There is a legend that Ivan the Terrible blinded the architects Barma and Postnik, because he didn’t want them to create another masterpiece.

There are a lot of beautiful palaces, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in a few years the city will become even more beautiful.

There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. They contain a unique collection of Russian and foreign painters including Impressionists. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia Museum of Folk Arts, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Art, and Alexei Bakhrushin Theatre Museum. Mikhail Glinka Museum of Musical Culture and many others.

Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best known of them is the Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are also very popular.

Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities.

Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament (the Duma) and the centre of political life of the country.

 

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as the window to Europe.

In 1712 Saint Petersburg, a city of great beauty, with palaces, cathedrals, churches, government buildings became the capital. Architects were brought from Western Europe to lay out the city in harmonious squares.

When the First World War began in 1914, the German-sounding name Saint Petersburg was changed to Petrograd. After the October Revolution the city was renamed after Vladimir Lenin.

Now Saint Petersburg is an important industrial, cultural, transport and educational center.

Diversity is one of the main features of Saint Petersburg. A lot of geographical names in the city are russified Finnish, and some are just translations from the Finnish language, for example: the Neva River, the Moika, the Karpovka, Okhta, Ulyanka, Ligovsky Prospect, Kalinkin Bridge, Zayachy Island and many others. Saint Petersburg now, as in the past, is the city of many nations and religions.

Saint Petersburg is a wonderful city: at every turn there is something to catch your eye. There are spacious squares and circles and the streets are wide and straight. Palace Square, Senate Square, St. Isaac’s Square, Trinity Square and Arts Square – they all are historical places, shaped with famous buildings and have striking monuments. The Field of Mars, with the area of twelve hectares, is the biggest square in Saint Petersburg. The main street of the city is Nevsky Prospect.

The city is called Northern Venice because there are 65 rivers, arms and canals there with artistically decorated bridges. Eight bridges across the Neva River open every night in summer giving together with the unset sun and magnificent buildings a picturesque view.

There are lots of museums in the city. The Kunstkammer, the first Russian museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Smolny Cathedral, the Russian Museum, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Savior-on-the-Spilt-Blood, the Admiralty and the Winter Palace, and many others, attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.

There are lots of theaters to suit all tastes. One can hear an opera or watch a ballet in the Mariinsky Theater or the Maly Opera House. Theatergoers can enjoy the dramatic art in the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater or in the Alexandrinsky Theater. Chamber and symphony music can be enjoyed in the Shostakovich Philharmonic Society. And, finally, those who prefer pop singers and rock stars can visit their shows at concert halls or sport palaces like the SKK or the Ledovy Palace. Two circuses are at people’s disposal as well.

Saint Petersburg is also famous for its legendary white nights. Different festivals take place at this time. It has also been a tradition for graduates of all kinds to celebrate their graduation and make marry in the night city.

People all over the world know that far north in Russia is the city of Saint Petersburg. Many of those who once visited the city like it and want to be there again.

THE USA

I would like to tell you about one of unique and amazing countries. The United States of America is the fourth largest country in the world after Russia, Canada and China. It occupies the southern part of North America and stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. It also includes Alaska in the north and Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The total area of the country is about nine and a half million sq. km. The USA borders on Canada in the North and on Mexico in the south. This country which at one time was inhabited by Red Indians, is now the home of “nation of nations” as people from every part of the world have gone to live in this land of wealth and promise.

The USA is made up of 50 states and the District of Columbia, a special federal area where the capital of the country, Washington, is situated. The largest state is Alaska. Major cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and others. The population of the country is about 260 million. Americans are made up from nearly all races and nations, including Chinese and Native Americans, Europeans and Africans.

The American flag is known as “The Stars and Stripes”. The 13 stripes represent the original number of states in 1776. The 50 stars represent today’s total. The national symbol is the bald headed eagle.

Americans are often called the nation of immigrants because at present the US continues to take more immigrants than any other country in the world. America is often called the “Melting Pot”, the “Salad Bowl” or the “Pizza”. “Melting Pot”, because many of the earlier immigrants have been assimilated, giving up the language and traditions of their ancestors. The US is one of the few countries in the world that has no “official” national language. Major languages are American English and Spanish.

The US of America is a country of gre